Take your time and truly experience each destination with the joy of slow travel. Discover how to connect deeply with local cultures and communities. Be part of the green travel movement by making sustainable choices during your adventures. Learn how to travel responsibly while reducing your environmental impact.
Ready to embrace the art of slow travel? So, tomorrow, December 8th, join us in celebrating Traveller Day, the perfect opportunity to slow down, reconnect with the local culture and experience the real heart of your destination. In a world full of fast-paced trips and ticking off bucket lists, slow travel invites you to take a breather, live in the moment and savour the destination without the rush. It’s all about enjoying the journey at a relaxed pace and creating lasting memories through meaningful connections.
In a world that's becoming increasingly conscious of the impact of travel on the environment, being a thoughtful traveller has never been more important. Whether you're an experienced traveller or a first-time backpacker, adopting a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to travel not only helps protect the places we love but also enriches your travel experience. In this post, we'll explore the art of mindful and budget-conscious travel, offering tips and insights for becoming the ultimate "Thoughtful Traveler".
What is Slow Travel?
Slow travel is all about taking the time to truly experience a place, diving deeper into its culture, its people and its hidden gems. Instead of rushing from landmark to landmark, slow travellers embrace a more mindful approach, allowing themselves to get lost in the local rhythm. It’s about slowing down, whether that means taking a long walk down charming alleyways, sipping coffee at a local café or chatting with shop owners who can tell you the story of their neighbourhood.
The beauty of slow travel lies in its simplicity. The less you rush, the more you see, hear and feel. It’s not just about ticking off sights, it’s about immersing yourself in a destination’s daily life, understanding its culture and leaving with more than just photos. Plus, slow travel is a great way to reduce your environmental impact by using public transportation or walking instead of hopping between planes and taxis. Traveller Day on December 8th is the ideal day to embrace the art of slow travel. Here’s why:
Authentic experiences: Slow travel lets you experience a destination in its truest form. Explore the local markets, wander through parks or discover off-the-beaten-path spots. By slowing down, you’ll uncover the essence of the place that most tourists miss.
Mindful travel: Slow travel encourages you to be present. It’s about reducing stress and fully immersing yourself in the surroundings, allowing each moment to unfold naturally. This is a way to reconnect with yourself as much as with the place you’re visiting.
Supporting local communities: Slow travellers have the power to positively impact local communities. By spending time in family-run businesses, taking part in workshops or buying handmade souvenirs directly from artisans, you support the local economy and help preserve traditions.
Sustainable and eco-friendly: Slow travel helps reduce carbon footprints. By staying in one place for longer, travelling on foot or by bike and relying on public transportation, you make eco-conscious choices while still enjoying the destination to the fullest.
Understand how your actions can affect the places you visit
Sustainable tourism is defined by the UN Environment Program as the type of tourism that takes into account all the future and immediate impacts it can cause on the economy, environment, or social aspects of your host community. It embraces all parts of a touristic experience, starting with the type of transport you will use during your travel, the accommodation you will choose, how you behave when in contact with the natural environment of that area, and so on.
The travel industry has a huge role to play toward a more sustainable future, so it’s very important that all sides do their part to create a more eco-friendly tourism. Keep in mind that your actions today will impact the world immediately and in the future. When we talk about a sustainable traveler, we are talking about someone who tries to minimize the negative impacts tourism can cause in big or small communities around the world. As little as it seems, any action, when taken by more and more informed people, can make a big change for future generations.
If you’re new to slow travel, don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! Here are some tips to help you embrace this mindful way of exploring:
Stay longer in one place: Instead of rushing through multiple destinations, take your time to explore one place deeply. Consider staying in locally owned guesthouses, boutique hotels or hostels, where you can engage with hosts and fellow travellers and get insider recommendations.
Walk or cycle around: Skip taxis and buses! Walking or cycling through the city will let you discover so much more than you would in a car. In Dublin, bike rentals are easy to find and walking along the River Liffey or through the lush Phoenix Park will allow you to soak in the city at your own pace.
Embrace slow-food: Rather than grabbing a quick bite, enjoy leisurely meals at local eateries. Try traditional Irish dishes like coddle, boxty or fresh seafood chowder. Spend time chatting with the owners, hear their stories and enjoy the food at a relaxed pace.
Learn the local language: Even learning a few key phrases can make your experience more authentic. The locals will appreciate your efforts and you’ll open doors to more genuine conversations and experiences.
Engage with the local culture: Take part in local events, attend festivals or join a community class. Dublin is rich in cultural events, from Irish music sessions in pubs to cooking classes and literary tours. Find ways to interact and learn from the people who call the city home.
Responsible wildlife interaction
When encountering wildlife, always prioritize their well-being. Avoid attractions that exploit animals for entertainment and choose responsible eco-tourism activities, such as wildlife sanctuaries and ethical animal encounters. Keep a respectful distance and never disturb their natural habitat.
Avoid single-use plastic
Single-use plastic is one of the big contributors to environmental pollution of the oceans and increasingly floods around the world, it takes hundreds of years to completely decompose and will keep being a problem for much longer than you can imagine. Many countries have started to take action regarding the use of plastic, but things like water bottles and disposable cups are still highly used on a daily basis by locals and tourists. Do your part by avoiding single-use plastic when it’s possible, bring a reusable bottle so you can refill water wherever you are, or start using a thermal mug for your coffee - besides being eco-friendly it will also keep your drink hot for longer. When shopping for souvenirs or groceries, bring a tote bag with you so no plastic bags will be needed, and try to always look out for businesses that are investing in recyclable alternatives for their products and avoiding the unnecessary use of plastic.
Mindful packing and consumption
Packing light not only saves you money on luggage fees but also reduces your carbon footprint. Pack versatile clothing, reusable water bottles, and eco-friendly toiletries to minimize waste. Consider bringing a cloth bag for shopping to reduce your reliance on plastic bags too.
Embrace the “Leave No Trace” mindset
The idea behind the Leave no Trace organization is to create Outdoor Ethics Education Programmes and promote a more eco-friendly attitude toward the planet and its natural resources. They follow seven main principles that can be followed by anyone willing to make their part in living a more sustainable lifestyle:
- Always plan ahead of your trips and prepare;
- Respect Farm animals, Wildlife, and their habitats;
- Use durable sources when camping and traveling;
- Leave any natural things you find where they belong, don’t take anything with you
- Dispose of any waste appropriately in a correct place;
- Be considerate of others visiting the place with you, and after you;
- Avoid using fire and always minimize its effects when in use;
Exploring Slow Travel in Dublin
If you find yourself in Dublin this Traveller Day, there’s no better way to explore the city than by embracing slow travel. Instead of rushing through the typical tourist spots, why not head off the beaten path and discover Dublin’s quieter corners? Save our Touristic Map!
Take a walk through the artsy neighbourhood of Stoneybatter, known for its independent cafés, vintage shops and authentic pubs. Or explore Ranelagh, a trendy but peaceful area with hidden gems like local bakeries and quirky shops. Spend time at Dublin’s independent bookshops like The Gutter Bookshop and enjoy the peace of browsing through shelves that aren’t crowded with tourists.
Dublin also offers plenty of cosy cafés and charming pubs, ideal for slowing down. Visit The Woollen Mills for a delicious meal in a quirky space or enjoy a pint of Guinness while chatting with regulars at The Stag’s Head, a Victorian pub beloved by locals. Don’t forget to ask the bartender about the history of the place – you’ll likely hear a story that no guidebook can provide.
For culture lovers, Dublin is home to some wonderful museums and galleries, many of which are free! Take your time in the National Museum of Ireland or lose yourself in contemporary art at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA). Both places offer peaceful spaces where you can take in the art without feeling rushed.
Choose accommodations that are taking actions to minimize their carbon footprint
As a thoughtful traveller, your choice of accommodation matters. Opt for eco-friendly lodging options like hostels with sustainability initiatives, eco-lodges, or boutique hotels with green certifications. These places often employ energy-efficient practices, minimize water wastage, and support local communities.
Volunteers
Make your travel experience even more meaningful by volunteering with local community projects or participating in beaches and canals cleanups. Giving back to the places you visit demonstrates your commitment to preserving their natural beauty and resources.
The Bernard Shaw (located in South Richmond St in Dublin) offers free pints for people who help clean rubbish from the Grand Canal. They give you the bin bags and material do clean, and when you return it filled, you grab a rewarding pint.
Use efficient modes of transportation whenever you can
Another way to make your part in helping the planet while traveling is by prioritizing the use of carbon-free transports whenever you can. When going short distances, try to cycle or walk instead of getting a car or a bus; if really needed, use public transport rather than private ones; if you are thinking about renting a car during your trip, give preference to the electric/hybrid models.
Opt for greener modes of transportation whenever possible. Walk or bike to explore the city, use public transportation too. If you're traveling longer distances, choose trains over flights to reduce your carbon emissions.
In Ireland, you can find electric charges around the whole country, which makes it easier to invest in renting an electric car while you are here. Plan ahead and make sure to be close to the charging stations when you start to run low on battery, you can find the ones near you with a quick search on Google Maps. When staying in Dublin, try to explore the city by cycling through it, you can use the Dublin Bike system to rent a bike for a few hours paying just as much as you would for a bus, plus there are cycling paths on all the main streets.
Dublin has many different public transports, including trams, trains, buses, rickshaws and bikes to rent around the city. Discover how to use Dublin’s public transport here. Would rather rent a car and go? Why not to try carpooling with fellow backpackers?
Support locals and sustainable tourism
One of the best ways to positively impact the places you visit is by supporting local businesses. Shop at local markets, eat at family-owned restaurants, and purchase souvenirs crafted by local artisans. In order to support small business abroad, whether it was a coffee shop, restaurant, or an artist stall you can also review the business in the Social Medias platforms. This not only supports the local economy but also encourages the preservation of cultural heritage.
Dublin is well known for its local weekly, monthly and seasonal markets where local small business shown their products and services, as Dun Laoghaire Sunday Market, Temple Bar Food Market, Red Stables Market (St Anne’s Park), Howth Market, Bushy Park Market, Stoneybatter Farmers Market, The Liberty Market, and many others.
Plan and budget wisely
Thoughtful travel doesn't have to break the bank. Plan your trip well in advance, look for deals on flights and accommodations, and create a realistic budget. Consider cooking your own meals occasionally to save money and reduce your environmental impact.
To help you on planning your “on-a-budget trip” to Dublin, we have partnered with our favourite restaurants around the city to offer you a special discount. No matter which Canbe property (Gardiner House Hostel, Garden Lane Backpackers) you choose to stay in during your visit to the Irish capital, you can avail of amazing discounts at our selected partners. You can check out all our partners clicking here.
Becoming a thoughtful traveller involves making conscious choices that benefit both the environment and the communities you visit. By adopting eco-friendly practices, supporting local business, and embracing mindful travel habits, you can create lasting memories while leaving a positive impact on the destinations you explore. Let's embark on a journey that's respectful, sustainable, and budget-conscious, making the world a better place. One adventure at a time.
Even something as simple as taking a walk in Phoenix Park (one of Europe’s largest urban parks) can help you reconnect with the city in a peaceful, mindful way. Stop by the Botanical Gardens or just find a quiet spot to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Traveller Day is a reminder to slow down, breathe and truly connect with the place you’re visiting. Whether in Dublin or anywhere else, slow travel offers a richer, more authentic experience. It’s about savouring the small moments, engaging with the locals and creating memories that will last long after the trip is over.
So, this December 8th, take the opportunity to step away from the fast-paced travel routine and immerse yourself in Dublin’s local life. The joy of slow travel will stay with you long after you’ve left.
Stay in style at Canbe Hostels!